Ryle girls basketball alumni set to take DI college courts
UNION, Ky. (BVM) – The Ryle High School girls basketball program has become known for its ability to help players transition from the prep level to the Division I college ranks. While numerous alumni have already finished their DI careers and others in the program waiting to begin theirs, the Lady Raiders still have three former standouts set to play at the Division I level this season while also having a couple on the sidelines.
Lauren Schwartz, Washington: Schwartz graduated from Ryle in 2019 after helping the Raiders become regional champions for the first time in school history and win a school-record 29 games. After two seasons at Rice University, Schwartz transferred to University of Washington in 2020. Last season, Schwartz started all 23 games and averaged a team-high 32.9 minutes with 10.3 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists. She is set to begin her junior season thanks to the COVID-19 extra year of eligibility.
Maddie Scherr, Kentucky: Scherr, a two-time Kentucky Gatorade State player of the year and a McDonald’s all-American, averaged 14.9 points and 7.3 rebounds to claim the title of 2020 Kentucky Miss Basketball while also helping Ryle to the school’s first-ever Kentucky state championship in 2019. Scherr played at the University of Oregon for two seasons, last year averaging 4.7 points, 3.7 rebounds and 3.3 assists over 31 games and 28 starts. She transferred to University of Kentucky in the offseason where she will play her junior campaign.
Brie Crittendon, Eastern Kentucky: Crittendon, a 2021 first-team all-state selection and 9th Region Player of the Year, averaged 14.2 points during her senior campaign at Ryle. She played her first collegiate season at Eastern Kentucky University, appearing in 31 games with 23 starts as a true freshman. In those contests, Crittendon averaged 4.9 points, 3.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists. She will begin her sophomore season this fall. Her older sister, Jenna, another Ryle girls basketball alumnus, will begin her first season as a collegiate assistant basketball coach for the University of Charleston.
Abby Jump, Memphis: Jump had a historic career at Ryle scoring over 1,000 career points including averaging 12.2 points as a senior. Jump went on to play at Wright State becoming the first former Raider to ever play in an NCAA Tournament game. Following her playing career, Jump entered into coaching, being on the staffs of Bucknell, Morehead State and Wright State before joining University of Memphis last season. The Tigers went 16-12 in Jump’s first season as associate head coach and are expected to be competitive in the American Athletic Conference once again this season.
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